Paper-based container lids and methods for making the same

Abstract

A paper-based container lid comprises a top wall, a side wall connecting to the top wall, and a sealing channel formed on the side wall for sealingly engaging a rim of the container and securing the lid to the container, wherein the top wall and the side wall are preferably formed from separate blanks.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 13 / 973,663 filed on Aug. 22, 2013 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 692,065 filed on Aug. 22, 2012, entitled Paper-Based Container Lids and Methods for Making. Both of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The subject disclosure relates to paper-based container lids and methods of making the same, and more particularly to lids for containers, such as beverage cups, which can be economically formed, are capable of being used with hot liquids, and include a sealing channel that creates an enhanced sealing interface with a corresponding rim formed on the container.[0004]2. Background of the Related Art[0005]Hot beverages, such as coffee, tea or the like, are frequently sold as a takeout item and supplied in disposable cups with thin plastic lids fasten...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent is directed to a lid for a container that includes a paperboard side wall and a paperboard top wall. The side wall has a sealing channel that projects outward and the top wall has an opening. The lid also includes a joint section where the top wall is connected to the side wall. The joint section has a bottom end and a top end, and the top end forms a lid rim. The lid can be sealed and the seam can be compressed. The technical effects of this design include improved sealing, a more rounded lid rim, and a more visually appealing appearance.

Problems solved by technology

Efforts to produce paper-based lids for containers / cups have had limited commercial success due to the complicated manufacturing process and the poor sealing between the cup body and the lid sealing ring that results in leakage of fluid contents from the cup.

The poor lid sealing and leakage is worse when the cup is for hot beverages.

Lids made from a single paperboard blank do not effectively seal around the rim of the containers.

During the manufacturing process, substantial crimps are formed in the sealing ring portion of the lid, resulting in gaps when the ring attaches to the rim of the container and consequently a source of fluid leaks.

The cup with integrated lid requires complex folding mechanisms, rendering it expensive and difficult to manufacture.

Furthermore, the cup with integrated lid possesses a wide top, which is subjected to spillage and is difficult to achieve an adequate sealing between the lid and the container body, resulting in leaking of the packaged contents.

However, there is not a tight fit axially; the lid 80 can move up and down and thus it does not provide good leak resistance for liquids.

Moreover, since the sidewall 82 of the lid in the sealing zone is flat (section 87) and rim “R” is curved there is no mating contact between the sidewall 82 and rim surfaces, and thus the seal is poor.

A further disadvantage of the Inmaco lid 80 is that the sidewall has a spiral seam.

It is difficult to minimize the visual impact this seam by compressing it further, because this won't necessarily make the gap between the ends of the sidewall blank smaller.

Moreover, using a spiral wound sidewall makes it extremely difficult to register or position the seam at a specific location around the periphery of the lids.

An additional disadvantage of the Inmaco lid 80 is its stacking height.

Thus, a substantial number of precision moving parts are required.

Such units are therefore relatively expensive to construct and to maintain.

While this apparatus is less complicated than the spinning forming discs previously used for the same purpose, it is still a complicated apparatus which requires moving parts that tend to wear, require maintenance and replacement.

Examples of such drawbacks described in part above include: complexity of production; lack of recyclability either due to the use of recyclable / compostable materials or the difficulties in operating reclamation systems when the cup and the lid are made of different materials; insufficient consumer acceptance due to inadequacies in material “mouth feel” or design, decreased aesthetic appeals when the packaged fluids stain the lid manufactured from molded pulp; and poor lid performance due to inadequate sealing of the lid to the cup, especially after several usage cycles.

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